Never Die Alone

Towering, tough, handsome rapper DMX plays a pimp and pusher so contemptible in this powerfully acted urban drama that he probably had to shower twice a day during the shoot just to keep his conscience clean. But does director Ernest R. Dickerson really expect anyone to care about this guy's desire for redemption after seeing him double-cross New York gangsters and move to L.A., then use, abuse, pimp, and deliberately addict three women (then kill two of them, one of whom he says that he "still loved," in a voiceover while raping her?). Told in flashback after the pimp is dead, Never Die Alone is based on Donald Goines' 1974 cult novel and directed with impressive, 21st century gangsta-noir style that makes it watchable despite the fact that it's morally impotent. Unfortunately, the storytelling hinges on burdensome contrivance: the pimp turns over his audio diaries to a clueless Caucasian witness to his murder (David Arquette), who just happens to be a struggling writer (who declares "I need to find out why this man died! For my story!"). Optional. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions, audio commentary (by director Ernest Dickerson, star DMX, and screenwriter Jim Gibson), a making-of featurette, 11 deleted scenes with optional commentary by Dickerson and Gibson, and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a disappointing film.] (R. Blackwelder)